Once Saturday’s preseason finale ends at Highmark Stadium, the Bills will officially be in regular season mode.
The game against the Panthers will not be about the result. And it certainly won’t be about getting the Bills’ starters reps, because the team announced none of that group would play in the final exhibition matchup.
Instead, it will be a full-on evaluation that could influence the final few spots of the 53-man roster. And in other cases, it will show what the Bills need to prioritize with their practice squad. So, while on the surface the game may seem meaningless, it could provide the clarity they need with their final decisions.
Who has the most to gain and lose on Saturday afternoon? Here are the 20 to monitor when the Bills take on the Panthers.
Kicker
Tyler Bass (No. 2)The practice week did not go well for Bass, and that might be putting it lightly. He missed more than half of his kicks in team drills from 40 to 48 yards and never attempted one past 49 yards. It has been a continuation of an inconsistent camp for the kicker who received a lucrative extension during the 2023 offseason. The Bills have said all the right things about Bass when asked. Most recently, head coach Sean McDermott said his “confidence is very high” in Bass and that the kicker is striking the ball well.
But kicker is a results-based position. His contract, with over $4 million in dead cap if cut this year, plus another $3 million in dead cap added to 2025, likely means that Bass is the kicker heading into the season. If the struggles for Bass continue in the preseason game, it may force the Bills to prioritize adding a kicker to their practice squad. In that situation, the team can turn to the practice squad kicker as a call-up if Bass’ struggles extend into the regular season. But the Bills might already be at the point of adding a practice squad kicker, given how things have gone.
Wide receiver
Tyrell Shavers (No. 80), K.J. Hamler (No. 19), Justin Shorter (No. 18), Andy Isabella (No. 87)While the injury situation at receiver seemed bleak at the beginning of the week, with both Curtis Samuel and Marquez Valdes-Scantling facing multi-week absences, there was a bit more of an optimistic tune Thursday. McDermott indicated that all of the team’s most recent injuries, excluding linebacker Matt Milano, have a chance to be ready to play in Week 1. The coach said he didn’t want to commit to them playing because some of the situations are still murky this far out from the season opener, but that type of information impacts how the team builds the roster for cutdown day. If Samuel and Valdes-Scantling both avoid injured reserve, that means there is one spot, at most, still up for grabs at receiver.
It comes down to Shavers, Hamler, Shorter and Isabella — all for different reasons. Shavers appears to have the best chances of the group, as his strong camp and ascension up the depth chart have been notable. He had a pair of special teams penalties against the Steelers, which slightly hurt his case. However, this week, he worked with quarterback Josh Allen in routes vs. air at practice, an encouraging sign for his chances. The next best odds to make the team are probably one of Shorter or Isabella, as Hamler has struggled with drops and ball security on kickoff and punt returns. But Shavers has outplayed Shorter, and the Bills would likely be able to get both Shorter and Isabella back to their practice squad. A strong night might force the Bills’ hand for one of this group rather than lose them entirely. Ahead of the game, though, it feels like Shavers or none of this group will make it.
Tight end
Zach Davidson (No. 84)Davidson’s chances took a massive hit with McDermott’s optimism about the injured players. If locked-in third tight end Quintin Morris isn’t in danger of going on IR, which is how it seemed Thursday, that hurts Davidson’s chances of making the 53-man roster considerably. Morris is one of their best special teams players, and Davidson would be a big downgrade in that department — and the third tight end role must hold a significant role in the third phase. A good performance from Davidson may increase his odds of getting claimed on waivers to another team’s 53-man roster, but they still should be able to sneak him through to the practice squad.
Offensive line
La’el Collins (No. 71), Will Clapp (No. 77), Richard Gouraige (No. 75), Kevin Jarvis (No. 63)No starters will be playing in the game, which gives a massive opportunity for a roster spot to the backup offensive line. Right now, the Bills seem to have nine offensive linemen nearing roster lock status. That includes the starting five, tackle Ryan Van Demark, interior lineman Alec Anderson, rookie center Sedrick Van Pran-Granger and rookie tackle Tylan Grable. Past that, it’s a question of whether the Bills keep a tenth offensive lineman and which of Collins, Clapp, Gouraige or Jarvis stays.
Clapp’s recent concussion may end his chances of being that player if he can’t play. They like Jarvis, but he’s a guard only and likely isn’t a risk to be lost during waivers. But Jarvis can undoubtedly play his way back into consideration on Saturday. If he doesn’t, that leaves Collins and Gouraige for possibly one spot. Offensive coordinator Joe Brady said they like that Collins gives them tackle and guard flexibility, but leading up to the Steelers game, Collins has not taken a rep at tackle for some time now. Gouraige has done so, playing some tackle during training camp practices and then getting guard reps during the preseason. But going with Gouraige would remove any starting experience from the backup unit. If they keep ten, Collins probably has the edge right now, but Saturday might decide it for them if any make it.
Kingsley Jonathan’s pass-rushing skills could set him apart from other defensive ends battling for a roster spot. (Shawn Dowd / USA Today)
Defensive end
Kingsley Jonathan (No. 59), Casey Toohill (No. 99), Kameron Cline (No. 96)These three will battle for the sixth and likely final defensive end spot. It’s a matter of special teams versus pass-rushing ability. Jonathan has the edge as a pass rusher, though both Toohill and Cline likely provide more as special teams contributors. It would be an easy decision most years in favor of Jonathan, but rookie Javon Solomon challenges Jonathan’s spot on the team. Solomon’s pass-rushing upside should garner any available snaps in the game to further his development, as there is real potential there. Ultimately, it comes down to how much they think they can trust Jonathan on special teams. He had a nice showing last week, and another against the Panthers could close the contest. If he struggles, Toohill and Cline are both multi-unit options.
Linebacker
Joe Andreessen (No. 44), Nicholas Morrow (No. 58), Deion Jones (No. 45)Depending on how the rest of the roster shakes out, the Bills could have one or two spots available to this group. For Andreessen to even play himself into this roster math as an undrafted rookie is an accomplishment in itself, but he’s done it with the help of some injuries to the position. His spot on the 53-man roster may depend on whether they think they can get him past waivers or not. At this point, they don’t want to lose his special teams prowess, but they also might want to see how he develops with more time on task during practice in a middle linebacker role. One more good showing on special teams and defense could secure a 53-man roster spot. If Morrow plays, he must make up for lost time Saturday. He didn’t have a great training camp before his injury and then missed multiple weeks, opening the door to Andreessen and others. One of those is veteran linebacker Jones. It seems unlikely that the Bills would keep both Morrow and Jones on the 53-man roster, so that’s likely a mini-battle within the trio.
Cornerback
Ja’Marcus Ingram (No. 46), Daequan Hardy (No. 25)Ingram’s standing for the roster appears in a good position heading into the weekend, but a few more checked boxes on defense and special teams will secure the spot. Hardy also seems to have taken the lead for the returner role, and he’s shown enough on defense to warrant a spot heading into Saturday. Hardy’s fate benefits from being a 2024 team draft pick. He likely needs to show good decision-making as a returner to answer those questions for the team. As long as they don’t struggle to a grand degree on Saturday, both Ingram and Hardy have a good chance.
Quarterback
Ben DiNucci (No. 15) and Anthony Brown (No. 5)The quarterbacks are listed at the bottom because the answer to the third quarterback question likely isn’t on the Bills roster. If the Bills feel like backup Mitchell Trubisky can be ready within the first four weeks of the regular season, it would rule out the reason to get another quarterback on the 53-man roster. And with the optimism from McDermott about their shorter-term injured players, a practice squad third quarterback seems more likely. DiNucci and Brown at least have a chance to convince the Bills to be that person early in the year, with a leg up of knowing some of the playbook, unlike whoever they would sign after final cuts. Both quarterbacks have had some bad moments in their handful of practices with the team, so an external option is a real option at the moment.